A New Way to Apply for Heritage Permits in the Western Cape

If you are involved in property development or real estate in the Western Cape, you need to know about a major change coming on September 1, 2025.

Starting on that date, all applications to Heritage Western Cape (HWC) will need to be submitted online through a new system called SAHRIS (South African Heritage Resources Information System). This means no more emailing applications or dropping off hard copies—it's all going digital.

Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act (‘the Act’) is often triggered in property transactions, development projects, or when alterations are proposed to heritage-protected sites. A Section 38 application must be submitted for approval to ensure compliance under the Act. This is required when a development may impact heritage resources, such as:

This new process is important for anyone whose projects might affect a heritage site. This includes:

• Building new structures or making changes to properties older than 60 years.
• Submitting rezoning applications.
• Working on large-scale developments or infrastructure projects.

Who Needs to Pay Attention?

This change affects a wide range of property professionals, and it's smart to prepare now to avoid delays. Here are some of the key people who should take note:

• Property developers will need to update their timelines and budgets to account for the new process.
• Architects and architectural technologists need to ensure their plans are submitted correctly through the new online portal.
• Town and regional planners guide clients through the heritage approval stage.
• Heritage practitioners and consultants are the main preparers of impact assessments.
• Environmental Assessment Practitioners (‘EAPs’) coordinate heritage and environmental submissions.
• Project managers manage schedules and compliance milestones.
• Municipal Planning and Building Control Departments provide accurate guidance to applicants.
• Conservation bodies and ratepayer associations stay engaged in the consultations and review process

How to Get Ready

Getting prepared is simple and will save you a lot of hassle.

• Register on the SAHRIS website well before the September 1 deadline.
• Explore the platform to get comfortable with its layout and submission process.
• Update any internal documents or guides you use for clients to include the new online requirements.

In short, this move to an online system is about making the process more efficient, transparent, and paperless. By getting familiar with SAHRIS now, you can avoid frustrating delays and keep your projects moving forward smoothly.